www.cljfl.co.uk

[Chris Fenton]

If the precedent has already been set in other leagues, leagues of good standing and character, then would it actually be a leap of faith for our league to follow? There are always going to be pro's and con's for any rule change, and Chris is absolutely right for me in that there does come a time for long standing rules to be reviewed and maybe this is now the right time for this rule to be looked at. It works in other leagues so why not in ours? I cant see the sense in denying boys who were brought up in our Mid Lancs colts the opportunity of playing in the more senior league for the same area. Hopefully, sense will prevail. Generally, I would have no problem with clubs having two teams, but more specifically, BBW would enhance the standard both on and off the pitch and that surely would only benefit our league.

Perhaps if members of our committee could meet with members of committees from other leagues to see what problems they have faced when they implemented a two team club rule and how they overcame them, then we could introduce a rule change that would have far more positives about it than negatives.

Chris Fenton
Parent

[steve1]

In conclusion, I would like to thank all the persons/clubs that have commented on this topic and offered their support on our behalf (barring the obvious unnamed and unqualified comments).

It would appear that the general concencus is that we should be accepted into the CLJFL Under 11s 11v11 League and we would obviously welcome the opportunity to compete in the Premier League, should the league feel that this was appropriate. I for one feel that the team, given one or two additions would now hold their own in this company, following the major strides that we have taken this year.

Equally, we will accept the decision of the committee, whatever that may be and we will continue to run the team with the best interests of all the players at heart.

Rob, without going into too much detail, I very much doubt that the player mentioned in your previous post was sat on the bench for the reasons which you have mentioned.

With regard to Warrens comments, I totally agree with your principles and comments, particularly:

"But some of the comments on here, come from people I would suggest who ARE the problem!"

[keleghanm]

Hi Steve,

Speaking to yourself last year around this time I know what a difficult position you were in.

Personally I do think there should be a step from 7 a side to 11 a side and that this solution is down the 9 a side route, I am sure not before long the FA will make it mandatory.

The u11's teams at the start of the season looked out of place on a full sized pitch dwarfed by the large goals, however since Christmas you can see how the players have adapted well and grown into the format.

The Central Lancs Committee I am sure are inundated by teams wishing to join the leagues, the problem is not necessary at u12’s but u13’s when the 9 a side league finishes.

From personal point of view I would have no problem with there being 2 teams from the same club, everyone knows the players from both sides, so the thought of moving from one to the other to gain advantage would not happen.

What ever happens I look forward to our usual pre and post season friendly games, always a pleasure Steve to invite yourself and the team down to Cadley.

Regards

Mark K
Cadley u11’s

[steve1]

Hi Mark,

Again, many thanks for your comments - it is great to know that we have the full support of so many of the CLJFL Under 11s 11v11 Teams.

We would obviously relish this new challenge if it were to present itself, but as you know, continuing with the special bunch of lads that we have is priority number one in any case!

Would love to organise a few more friendlies (11v11 preferably) once the season is concluded and you will be able to decide whether you think we have progressed through the 9v9 route - don't worry we will take it easy on you! lol

Steve

[Lushman]

[pwalsh]

Dear Lushman,

I am a parent of a BB U11 player and I am very surprised by your comments. Perhaps you would be kind enough to elaborate on the reasons that have pre-empted this view.

Many thanks

Paul Walsh

[ladybridge]

[Lushman]

I'm not prepared to elaborate on the particular incident, but suffice to say that BB arent exactly known for their sportsmanship....

[ladybridge]

[pwalsh]

[mellberg4]

I think every body needs to just take a step back and see where this has lead to, basically a tit for tat thread. The original post was about having two teams in the same league and like earlier posts I cant see the point in going into the bottom league as it will be the same level as to where the team is now. But with promotion again this topic will come up time and time again, as the for- mentioned teams might just meet and having watched a lot of football this season I think that the whites could give the blues a game maybe not win but give em a game like previous posts the whites have inherited a lot of the blues players and that’s why they are now pushing on, Chris who coaches the main Bamber Bridge outfit knows a good player when he sees one and for whatever reason they have left and gone to the whites.

This I think is the main concern for the other teams as for what I can see is that if the blues acquire better and better players players of a high standard some of the original team might just might get pushed out and down to the second string of the whites, this might not be what the whites staff want but it could be forced upon them if you see what I mean. Basically in time it could be a bamber bridge and then a reserve team of the blues so who wins and loses it’s the kids who pack in that lose as they do not meet the high standards set, end of the day one team is always going to be overshadowed by the other

If we are talking with the best interests of the players lets just move to presentation night and the main team winning this and that but the reserve team as it always will be winning nothing because if the main team wins the league and cup whatever the 2nd team wins pails into insignificance again it’s the lads who lose out watching the better team take all the glory end of the day there is a lot to take in I hope the whites do get in the league they are good enough but are they ready for what lies ahead

I think some of the posts have been a bit off the mark and basically seem to be having a go at various coaches and teams with bad blood been spilt over the last few years maybe its time for one and all to just think about the children playing football and put all this bad stuff to one side.

I don’t think it is professional to talk about teams in regard to… winning at all costs and some are not whiter than white prove this and prove that its pathetic just look at youselves its kids football come on and why people have to comment on other teams i.e. shenanigans and faceless individuals and not putting subs on in freezing conditionsthis really does appall me what has it got to do with anyone but the coaching staff of any team what they do on a sat/sunday game has it got so bad we are all going around watching each other I for one would never ever ever ask or comment on another team and how they prepare and play its just not professional or the done thing and it goes against all that you respect in football and life it really does sadden me but if it means that much to some people and they have post as it upsets them so much maybe they should name the team(s) and coaches who have done this, but i dont think this will happen so come on lets just get on and do what we all enjoy playing, coaching and watching this great game and get away from all this childish behaviour.

Like others before me its kids football lets enjoy, as before to long it’s all over and they are all grown up maybe some of us should do this now grow up that is

[R B]

I think you’re well wide of the mark with the reserve team idea. I couldn’t see any team using that format. Bamber Bridge has been used as the example but there is no way I could see how it would work with Chris forcing players on Steve. Its kids football not the Premier League

If any club put 2 teams forward in my experience they won be run as separate teams, there may be an odd occasion a player might want to move between the sides but it wouldn’t be the norm. That’s why I think there would be no worries of match fixing. The rivalry between the two teams would be as fierce as between any other club!!

Maybe the 2 team idea needs to be raised at the League AGM and voted on by the clubs of the league.

On another note as this has been posted in the U11s area most of the views are just U11s teams – this rule could change every age group – would be interesting to know what other age groups think!!

[Ian Smith]

Staying on point in respect of the Whites I think we should look at the current set up of the U11's in that the Premiership ( and the other divisions for that matter) are essentially 8 team leagues which means a 14 game season.

I think that our club had played 7 of our league games before the end of October and it has only been due the factor of a really harsh winter that we still have games remaining otherwise we would have finished by January.

My point is that a 14 game season is a little short and the Divisions should be extended to say 10 or 12 teams .

The challenge in extending the league of course is that the quality & competitive nature of the league has to be maintained and this is where we have an obvious opportunity to introduce the top 9v9 teams straight into the premiership based on the respective 9v9 CLJFL league records of those teams.

In summary and without scrutinising current league rules I'd suggest the following :-

- Make all Divisions a 10 or 12 team league ( I do understand this is numbers dependent)
- Next years Premiership teams to be completed by the top 2 from Division one and the Top 2 9v9 teams after consultation with the coaches from those clubs ( to allow for mitigating circumstances etc)
- Prelim system ( if appropriate) to be retained to cater for the Divisions below the top tier for this 'restructure'.

In respect of the two team league ruling this should be removed and if people have issues with it's removal then I'd challenge their values and behaviours.

The only reason we are all here is for the development of the young lads in the area who want to play football to the best of their ability and if we are to deny boys of the opportunity to play at the highest level they feel they can achieve because of an adult inspired 'conspiracy theory' ruling then there is something fundamentally wrong here .

I do hope the league review this ruling prior to the start of next season. I do not know the history behind why it was introduced however I believe it is time to change it and then we can all look forward to an even better league next season.


Ian Smith
BB Blues

[R B]

I have just added a Poll in the General section were you can vote 'Yes' or 'No' to if you think 2 teams per club should be allowed.

Will be interesting to see what the outcome is!

[steve1]

I think Ian has made some very good points and I would like to thank "Mellberg" (didn't he used to play for Aston Villa??) for authoring this interesting debate!

Not sure why Mellberg wishes to remain anonymous, within this completely open forum, but I suppose we can only respect that he must have his own reasons!

For information purposes and as this is a completely open debate BBW have introduced players from the following teams over the last two years:

Penwortham Town - One Player
Lancon - One Player
BB Blue - Two Players
Charnock Richard - One Player
Hoole Utd - One Player

In all cases, barring one exception, all of these players/parents have actually approached BBW! The exception being one of the BBB players that had already left the club and we were made aware that he was available.

Four of these players were introduced this year to take our squad from 9 to 13 in readiness for 9v9 football. The fact that two of these players came from BBB is purely incidental. We also have four players with the team that have been with us since we began at Under 7s (one being my own son).

The intimation that BBW are some kind of reserve team for BBB is completely unfounded. The two teams are run completely independently of each other, but whilst this is an open debate I would like to make note that the two BBB players had obviously received an extremely high standard of coaching when they joined us. With due respect to some of the teams from lower divisions, some of our acquisitions were (choosing my words carefully!) raw to say the least.

We have our own training methods and techniques and we also have three coaches, all qualified to FA1 standard. The improvement in all of our players during this season is plain for all to see and we will continue to offer the very highest standards of coaching combined with plenty of regular pitch time on match days for all players.

It is very apparent that to date, all persons connected to Under 11 - 11v11 League clubs have given BBW the thumbs up!

Whether the league agree that BBW should be allowed to enter the 11v11 league (and if so which division?) remains to be seen.

As previously stated, I would suggest that only comments posted from genuine individuals that wish to confirm which club they are involved with, are of any substance.

Steve

BBUJFC